A Hog a Day Part 9

Daddy took pride in being strict. Β β€œSpare the rod and spoil the child.” Β He was certainly never accused of spoiling the child. Β Many times I heard him say there wasn’t a kid or an animal he couldn’t conquer. Β During his hog-hunting days he acquired a hog-dog he was incredibly proud of. Β Sutter was a black lab/Catahoula Cur mix. Β When sicced on a herd of hogs, Sutter plunged in and fearlessly latched onto the hog’s ear not to be dislodged until the hunter dispatched the hog. Β The poor hog couldn’t slash Sutter as long as he hung on to the ear. Β The dog was in the greatest danger of being bitten as he rushed the hog. Β  Hog-hunting was dangerous for men and dogs. Β I’ve seen Daddy stitch his cut dogs a few times. Β He Β required stitches a time or two, but splurged on a doctor for himself.

Sutter worked cows with Daddy. One day, he chased a calf and pinned it to the ground where he held it by a mangled ear. Β Expecting a kill, he wouldn’t release it. Β Daddy pulled him off the calf, tied him off to a small sapling, and pulled off his belt to strap to him. Β He got a couple of licks in before Sutter changed his belief system. Β The enlarged dog ran Daddy up the sapling where he clung just out of the dog’s reach. Β  At six-foot three and two hundred forty pounds, Daddy was imposing on the tree. Β It dipped from one side to the other as Daddy bounced side-to-side just beyond the snarling dog’s jaws. Β I wondered if somebody would have to shoot Daddy if Sutter latched onto his ear. After a few minutes, Sutter’s temper cooled and he wagged his tail when Daddy spoke to him. Β Daddy climbed down when Sutter seemed to have forgiven him.

Sitter was a very valuable dog. Β Instead of shooting him as I expected, Daddy took the reasonable attitude that he’d handled things badly. Β He and Sutter worked it out and the dog concentrated on hogs from that time forward.

Maybe I should have run Daddy up a tree.